Rabbi Yonah Fradkin of San Diego, California, had not deliberately set out to challenge the calendar. But the final decision to establish a local day school was made three weeks before the opening of the school year. As he worked around the clock to raise funds and enroll students, he was told about a seemingly insurmountable hurdle: “It will take at least three months before you can obtain a building permit.”

At that point, he consulted with the Rebbe. “May your efforts be crowned with abundant success,” replied the Rebbe in blessing. Encouraged, Rabbi Fradkin labored strenuously to reach his goal. As he continued, he indeed found success in every dimension of the undertaking. Funds were raised, a site was located, and students were enrolled, but that one hurdle seemed to be indeed insurmountable.

“It’s simply unrealistic to expect the permit to materialize so quickly,” he was told. “There are hundreds of buildings waiting for inspection before their permits are issued. Your application has no chance of receiving priority over all the others.”

One evening, there was a knock on the Fradkin door. “Hello. I am the city hall representative in charge of granting building permits. May I have a chat with you?” asked the gentleman at the door.

The man told Rabbi Fradkin that he was experiencing a very trying family problem. “I am in need of Divine assistance and I am eager to do a good deed so that I may merit it. Yesterday, someone told me that the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s shaliach in the city is trying to build a school and has applied for a building permit. I would like to help.”